Today’s Midhurst and Petworth Observer reports:

Ian Phillips has been appointed as a new member of the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to replace Tom Tupper, who stepped down from the role last month. Ian Phillips, who lives in Farnham, is a chartered landscape architect and town planner with more than 25 years’ experience in urban and rural local government. His professional interests include green infrastructure, policy development, planning for trees and community engagement and he has spoken on these topics at national and international events. He serves on the Landscape Institute’s council and policy committee and is chairman of its appointments committee. He pursues a keen interest in trees as chairman of the Tree Advice Trust, as a contributor to relevant British Standards and as a member of the Trees and Design Action Group.